Pics! Take a Peek Behind the Scenes With Valentino at the New York City Ballet!

Pics! Take a Peek Behind the Scenes With Valentino at the New York City Ballet!

Legendary designer Valentino designed the costumes for the New York City Ballet’s Fall Gala this year. Check out these fab behind-the-scenes photos!

-Lucia Peters

Last night, the New York City Ballet kicked off its 2012-2013 season with a bang—that bang being, of course, the NYCB Fall Gala. Alas, we weren’t lucky enough to be there; but happily, we can still get a little peek behind the scenes, thanks to some photos recently posted on the NYCB’s Facebook page. Why are we so excited? Because fashion legend Valentino Garavani designed the costumes!

Valentino, who is 80 years old (bless!), officially retired from the fashion world four years ago because, he said, “I had done almost everything, and fashion was taking a direction I didn’t like.” He seems to have found his second wind in the world of ballet, though; according to him, “This is a new life for me, and it’s been a very beautiful experience.” Awww!

For the Fall Gala, Valentino created 16 original designs. The performances they were worn during pieces set to music from from Tchaikovsky, Duke Ellington, and Fred Astair, among others. The ballet company even did a tribute to Valentino himself: “Rubies” from George Balanchine’s “Jewels,” set to Stravinsky’s “Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra.” Ruby, of course, is Valentino’s signature color; indeed, it’s often referred to as “Valentino red.”